For Rob Pelinka, Lakers’ offseason overhaul must work … or else

Rob Pelinka, this is what you planned for. 

This is what you’ve spoken about publicly for at least the last year. 

This is what you’ve set the Lakers up for and made sure it would happen. 

This is what you sold superstar guard Luka Doncic on after acquiring him in February 2025 and signing him to a three-year extension last summer. 

An offseason of “optionality” — a word you’ve used at least a dozen times over the last year — where you could build “championship rosters every year” around Doncic as well as star guard Austin Reaves.

So this offseason overhaul better work. 

It must. 

Because if it doesn’t, this will probably be the last offseason Pelinka will be in charge of the Lakers’ basketball operations. 

The Lakers’ priorities entering the summer were clear. And so far, they accomplished most of them. 

Re-sign Reaves? Check, to the tune of a new four-year, $185 million contract.

Acquire a bona fide rim-running, rim-protecting big man who’s the ideal fit alongside Doncic? Check, with the addition of Walker Kessler in a sign-and-trade with the Jazz that included multiple draft picks. 

Get younger? Also, check, with the average age of the Lakers’ newest additions being 26 years old, while the average age of the main players they’re expected to lose being 31.4 years old. 

And yet, the Lakers’ offseason moves in totality are underwhelming. 

Especially considering the Lakers had over $50 million of cap space to work with, the most in the league, in addition to multiple draft picks to trade. 

To recap, the additions so far: Kessler, Quentin Grimes (four years, $60 million), Sandro Mamukelashvili (four years, $52 million) and Collin Sexton (two years, $19 million). Each deal has a player option at the end of the contract. 

This is in addition to drafting Baylor’s Cameron Carr with the No. 24 pick last week. 

The players the Lakers are losing: LeBron James (next team to be determined), Marcus Smart (Rockets), Luke Kennard (Suns) and Jaxson Hayes (Jazz), with Rui Hachimura also expected to leave in unrestricted free agency. 

Individually, each player the Lakers added makes sense.

The presence of Kessler, who’s been one of the league’s best rim protectors since entering the NBA in 2022, will fortify the interior for the Lakers on both ends of the floor. Yes, the cost — both in terms of salary and first-round picks (2031 and 2033 unprotected picks, 2028 and 2030 swaps) is a lot. But Kessler was the Lakers’ man, and restricted free agency is a costly mechanism. 

Grimes will add shooting, scoring and athleticism. So will Sexton, in addition to ball-handling duties. 

Mamukelashvili adds scoring, passing, rebounding and versatility. 

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It’s clear the Lakers were prioritizing space around Doncic, who’s been open about his desires for spacing and a big man. 

And the younger, fresher legs should help make it easier to manage Doncic and Reaves through the regular season. 

Slotting Deandre Ayton in a backup role behind Kessler is a bonus. 

But look up and down the roster — does it feel like it’s capable of competing for a title this season, let alone beat the Thunder or Spurs in a seven-game series?

Not a chance. Not even close.

And that was the goal for this offseason. 

Where’s the perimeter defense? The point-of-attack deterrence? The quality wings? 

Those components were just as important as anything else when it came to building a roster around Doncic and Reaves. 

Maybe Pelinka’s moves will work out. 

If Kessler is great enough defensively — Defensive Player of the Year-caliber great — to mask a leaky defense. 

If Carr and 2025 second-round pick Adou Thiero are ready to be consistent positive contributors on the wings despite their inexperience. 

If Pelinka can make a bargain signing on the wings (Matisse Thybulle and Ziaire Williams are among those still available) to help fortify the perimeter defense. 

If coach JJ Redick can scheme this defensively-inept group into a formidable one. 

And obviously, if Doncic and Reaves can lead this roster to greater success than expected. 

But if those things don’t happen, then it’s Pelinka’s job, with the organization under immense pressure to compete for a title around Doncic under owner Mark Walter. 

And that pressure falls directly on Pelinka. 

Walter’s history with the Dodgers suggests he’ll be patient. 

But Pelinka’s had time. More than enough time. 

And with the Lakers done with their biggest moves, now Pelinka has to hit home runs on the little stuff throughout the rest of the offseason

Because his job depends on it. 

And if this group falls short of the lofty goal of competing for a title — which is the expected outcome based on what’s been put together — he’ll be out of this job.